Pakistani starlet Hania Aamir recently joined Ahmad Ali Butt’s program to discuss her career and social media presence as a top TV celebrity. Hania was asked about brands judging artists by their Instagram following, which is over 10 million.
“It feels fine…” That’s today’s world, the Mere Humsafar actor said. I’m not sure what’s next. Not like this before, I suppose… I think it’s corporate culture. You must put in that kind of effort to perform well.”
A humble beginning
Hania described her unanticipated path to making her acting debut in the 2016 comedy Janaan at 17. As I began my business degree, a mutual buddy told me that a producer I know is reaching out to you and you’re not responding. Imran Kazmi’s film opened well and earned Hania a Lux Style Awards nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
The actor says Kazmi and his team discovered her through a random video she posted on Dubsmash, a former American video-sharing platform. Hania said filming Janaan was fascinating for a novice performer because of her unfamiliarity with the medium and the lack of pressure.
She said, “I had no idea what a camera looked like. The first day went well. Our job is what if you break it down? Hania summarized acting by saying, “Understand that you have to say something. Say it, feel it, and say it. Without fear, it was much lovelier. I wasn’t afraid of the solo from here, so this is the angle.”
Mental health awareness
Hania stressed the importance of having an honest, “gender-neutral” talk about mental illness when asked about her open promotion of mental health awareness and care. In reference to her recent posts on men’s mental health, she said, “I see a lot of my friends struggling and pretending at the same time. I’m uncomfortable watching. Men discussing mental health is stigmatized, so I think someone should talk about it.”
The 26-year-old actor praised the growing space for women to discuss mental health, which men lack. “Mental health is gender-neutral,” Hania said. According to statistics, men live less than women. Men commit more suicides than women.” The celebrity said it wasn’t a comparison but rather the differences men and women experience.
Ideas on gender equality
In discussing sexism and gender equality, Hania said “cerebral opportunities” should be equal for men and women. I don’t think women compete with men otherwise. They want equal chances. They want equality—if you can, so can I. She said that having children doesn’t mean I’m less or less intelligent than you.
The Sang-e-Mah actor also discussed her struggles with mental health during her time in showbiz and social media fame. “I think everything has to do with perspective,” Hania said. “Yes, I went through that, and it shaped me into who I am today. Without those experiences, I wouldn’t have been so firm and wouldn’t have known what I needed.
“I would have never figured out that I have some past trauma that’s catching up, which is getting triggered by social media right now,” she said, emphasizing the importance of not regretting the past. “I loved the good parts. I have no regrets. The awful part was planned. There is no way I could have stopped it. So no regrets.”
In spotlight
She acknowledged the difficulties of creating clear lines between what to reveal and what to hide on social media. Subtly referencing earlier online conflicts, she settled on one tenet. I’ve learned that romantic connections are delicate. You must safeguard them.” The actor claims followers develop complex relationships with celebrities without malice.
“It’s not like devils watch us on screens. They just became invested. They spend a lot of time commenting and loving or hating. When that fails, they don’t act like breakups. They believe their lives have gone awry, Hania said.
Owning vulnerability
Hania feels responsible for giving her fandom this complexity on such an enormous scale. She acknowledged this weight and said her online behavior is focused on reaching more people than posting selfies. Integrating vulnerability online is key to humanizing herself for her audience.
She said, “Vulnerability is strength. We live in a culture with so much pretense that even authentic honesty feels fake.” Hania credits the internet for linking her with fans and friends worldwide, unlike most celebrities who worry about minimizing distance from admirers.
“I have a secret account that has my fans on it,” Hania said, adding that some people respect her privacy. Hania said building optimism in her private online world helps her overcome strangers’ hatred, which she seldom experiences. “I rarely see it. It has no effect if you don’t notice it. Until someone says you trend, she said.
